There *IS* a solution that keeps aviation engineering in Australia but it represents a fundamental shift of HOW we work. I have always argued that salaries aren't the problem, it doesn't make that much difference if Qantas give a 2.5% or 3% or 3.5% pay rise, if we want to keep the engineering side alive in this country we are going to have to figure out how to get rid of as many of the inefficiencies that we can and get our maintenance programs well and truly "leaned out". That was part of the principle behind bringing in salaries, the concept is to give the guys an opportunity to work less hours but with a guaranteed income whilst getting the aircraft out by actively rewarding people for getting the job done more efficiently.
It didn't work, not sure why, it has worked elsewhere, but somehow something got lost in the translation.
The belief that managements will be "happy" with the dispatch of the inefficiencies that apparently plague the industry is misplaced. No management has ever been content with agreements that contain increased efficiency practices for long. It's about them getting bonuses for meeting their KPI's than anything else. There is ALWAYS the next one after the current one. Conversations go something like this." You beauty, we've held them down to a fraction of the demands and forced them into financial hardship enough to pressure them to accept our meagre offer. The bonus is locked in now so let's see what we can do to trim down the cost to us in delivering the agreed terms. Hmmmm.. what about delaying the PPE for 6 months saying we are negotiating with a supplier and a further 6 months saying that the quality of samples aren't up to acceptable standard. We'll save on that one.......now where's that Chivas Regal?"
To take that further, distrust between employer and employee has been endemic for years, no, decades, and this has been despite the efforts of some very good managers along the way. Employee reps and union officials have next to no chance when planning like this is under way.
There are limits to changing the way things are done and when those limits are reached, companies look to overseas MRO's. Those MRO's offer lower costs by paying lower wages, having less oversight, minimal OH&S and supervision complicit in ensuring "on time and under budget" outcomes. Bonuses are paid to encourage this. Lower wages look to continue for quite some time to come.
This might just sound cynical about airline companies, but the truth of the matter is that no company is happy to spend more money than they have to get the outcome they want and as a result the employees become disengaged. Especially when they find that the extra they put in through dedication and commitment is not appreciated and look for something tangible.
It would be nice to keep work in Australia, but it's all hanging by a thread at the moment. For instance, Qantas is on a restructuring program to reduce LAME's to a minimum and get AME's to do more for less.